Editor:
How can the Bow Valley measure the value of its residents and visitors who volunteer their time and skills? It’s a question I ponder as I begin my new volunteer assignment as a board member with the Banff Volunteer Centre (BVC).
This morning (Nov. 21) I attended a Town of Banff council meeting and was pleased to see an overall favourable response to BVC’s new direction. Executive Director Katherine Topolniski had submitted a proposal to reinstate a previous budget of $20,000 annually for core funding.
I was delighted to hear the council’s questions match one of BVC goals for 2012: To better measure and report on the value of volunteerism in our community. This means I will be putting my performance measurement expertise to good use. Establishing appropriate indicators of success early will be an important step as BVC begins rolling out it’s new business in 2012: Delivering services to non-profit organizations, building awareness of volunteerism and encouraging residents (new, temporary and long-term locals alike) to be more actively involved in their community.
I’m excited about volunteering my skills in this capacity while supporting a cause for which I care about: Inclusion. I even hope that my volunteering as a Board member serves as a model for other young and highly skilled people and inspires them to find a fulfilling volunteer opportunity.
So how do you think a community should measure the value of its volunteers? Send us your views at www.volunteerbanff.ab.ca
Annie Arseneault,
Banff
